Module 8 Video Reviews

More Human Than Human and 

The Measure of All Things: Greek Art and the Human Figure

1. Explain why you selected the video you choose from the selection listed above. * I chose the selected video "The Measure of All Things: Greek Art and the Human Figure because it related to the required video and I am interested in learning more about human art figures. I enjoyed looking at all of the sculptures and statues from the video and learned more from the video and text than I have ever learned in classes from high school.

2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned. * In "More Human Than Human" I learned a lot about human art figures throughout history. In the past and even today, we as humans preferred images that do not look like us. We are obsessed with images that are typically unrealistic. For example, the sculpture Venus of Willendorf depicts a nomadic woman with exaggerated features. The tiny sculpture shows the woman having large breasts, reproductive features and other parts but ignored others.  Experts from the video explained that humans were basically mentally wired to envision themselves this way. As the years went on, other civilizations such as the Egyptians began to display their art as appearing more realistic. They had an obsession with precision and order in their statues. Human art figures really lay the foundation of how we view ourselves as a human culture.

In "The Greek Art and the Human Figure video", I learned that the Greeks were obsessed with the body and carved a lot of their sculptures from wood and marble. Most of their artwork is of women and range in small to large sizes. In the sixth century began to make 3-D sculptures, more realistic views such as exposed reproductive parts, and statues that show movement.

3. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text? * The videos help to reinforce the material in the textbook. For example, when the first video covered the Venus of Willendorf sculpture, it helped me to understand it's existence better because they went into detail about it from another persons perspective (the experts).

4. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts? * I liked the films a lot they were interesting and kept my attention with all the examples of sculptures they showed. The experts they had on the videos were very knowledgeable in their areas and helped me understand new concepts in regards to human art figures and how it relates to how we view art today. The videos add depth to the readings and concepts by using real life examples to teach us about past and present art work.

Module 7: Video Review

For module 7, I will be reviewing the following videos:

Frank Lloyd Wright: Prairie Style  

Frank Gehry: Architecture is Art

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1. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned. *In Frank Lloyd Wrights: Prairie Style video, I learned many key concepts. I learned that prairie style describes a series of horizontal planes throughout the homes. He put in a lot of open concepts throughout homes he designed such as an open living room area. He placed fire places in the center of the house which was not common; it freed up more space for windows. Lower ceilings focused on the horizontal style of the house. Wright took pride in calling his homes organic because they blended with nature. The base of the houses were planted in the ground so that it would seem like the house grew with nature. The rooms in the home flowed into one another instead of being sectioned off. He fluctuated high ceilings and low ceilings throughout his homes. Wright inspired many architects such as Dan White and Donald Fraser.

In Frank Gehrys: Architecture as Art video, I also learned a lot of concepts. I learned that Gehrys architectural processes were precise and and complex to create beautiful works of architecture. He did not follow conventional rules of architecture; he developed his own vocabulary to make buildings that interacted with humans emotional responses. He tried unconventional materials as well and used spatial dynamics that were different from typical architecture. For example, music artist Jermaine Dupri and Mariah Carey shot videos at Gehrys famous Guggenheim Museum in Spain which featured aesthetic emblems of the 20th century.

2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text? *The videos relate to the reading in the text in several ways. I noticed that Frank Lloyd Wright described his designs as being organic.This reminded me of green architecture because it is all related to nature and how architecture can interact with it's surrounding environment in a positive way. Gehrys video reminded me of the true meaning behind architectural art and broadened my understanding of aesthetics. Art is not just limited to painting or drawing (original fine arts; Gehry expressed his love for paintings) but crafting/designing buildings should include aesthetics as well.

3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of Architecture? *I enjoyed watching the films and I thought they were very insightful. The Wright video added to my prior knowledge of his work, but this time it made me think of it more as artistic than just a creative and historical way he made his homes and buildings. The Gehry video introduced me to him and his work and how he thought of himself as an artist and his architecture as art. He stressed the importance of sparking an emotional response to people viewing his architecture. This concept adds to the depth of understanding architecture and even includes aspects of philosophy. The crafting/designing process of buildings requires deep thought, innovative ideas, knowledge of construction, and a profound set of artistic skills.

4. Why did you choose the films that you watched? * I chose to watch Frank Lloyd Wrights film because I already had background knowledge about him. I wrote a paper about his famous Darwin Martin house here in Buffalo, New York, the Larkin Soap Administrative building, and the summer house in Derby, New York. I admire his architectural style and if I could, I would have a prairie style home built for myself (except with high ceilings). I chose to watch the Frank Gehry film because prior to now I never heard of him and wanted to know more about him. I also was attracted to the title "Architecture as Art" because I think of buildings as being art. For example, a lot of the architecture here in Buffalo display many different forms of architecture. City Hall and the Frank E. Merriweather library designs are very impressive, unique, and beautiful.

Reviewing Peer Response to Artwork

1. http://myartdiscovery.blogspot.com/2014/03/art-gallery-visit-1.html

2. http://myartdiscovery.blogspot.com/2014/02/elements-of-art.html

3. http://francocardillo.blogspot.com/2014/03/art-visit.html?showComment=1394326711725#c571245024335815665

2. When looking at Project #1: (Elements and Principles), did you agree with the element or principle the artist listed with the images? Did you see other elements and principles in the images? * When reviewing Michael Ushman's blog on project #1 I thought his slide show was very simple and straight to the point. It required no explanation and I was immediately able to understand that each picture represented an element/principle of art. I liked his pictures and thought he made good choices. I agreed that his pictures matched the element/principle. I did notice other elements and principles within the pictures. For example, in his picture on unity had variety in it with the my little pony toys in different shapes and colors.

3. When looking at Project #2: Where there any images in the Peer Blogs the same as your own? If yes, what were they? Where the reasons the image was selected the same or different as your own? *When reviewing Michael's blog on project #2 there were no images that were the same as mine. I did notice that I passed by one piece of artwork he posted. I seen the "La Toilette" painting by Picasso when I visited the museum. His selections had lots of variety and his explanations he posted about were interesting as well. He and I have the same thoughts about the "La Toilette" painting that we think our society puts too much emphasis on a persons looks.

When reviewing Francesco Cardillo's project #2, I was able to connect with him on his view of Anselm Keifer's artwork. He liked the wall art, while I enjoyed the bigger displays on the upper level called Die Milchstrasse. Francesco did not post about the same images as I did on my visit to the art gallery.

4. Where there any images that your Peers selected that pique your interest now? If yes, what are they and what is your connection with them? What would you want to know about them? *Michael posted a painting by Pablo Picasso entitled La Toilette and while it is a picture of a nude woman looking in the mirror held by another woman, the picture seemed more intriguing than how it looked. I think it reflects societies attitude toward personal appearance and how we depend on our reflection in the mirror to tell us about ourselves and how we should be. I want to know why Picasso chose women in this picture instead of men and what was his inspiration.

In Francesco's blog I thought the picture he described by Edgar Degas about women looking at their reflection in the water as a picture that would be similar to Picasso's. I would like to see this picture and learn more about it. I think he is referring to this picture: 

5. What do you think about  the process of reading your peers reflection? Do you find this to be a valuable in your learning? * I enjoyed the process of reading my peers reflection. It is refreshing to read work from my peers and read about other perspectives. I think it is valuable in my learning because I think your peers are sincere when they critique your work. It is also easier to discuss problems with work with your peers than it is with the teacher. Sometimes students feel slightly intimidated when talking to teachers; peer review can be less stressful.

6. Check your Blog and read comments posted by your Peers. Do you find their comments helpful? *Yes, I found the comments left on my blog very helpful. My peers let me know that I am doing a good job keeping up with the class and assignments. I am happy and proud that they noticed the color schemes I use to try to keep the blog interesting (and my love for color). I think peer review and reflections are beneficial to any student.

Video Responses: Through the Eyes of A Sculptor and Glass & Ceramics

Through the Eyes of A Sculptor and Glass & Ceramics

1. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.

2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?

3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the topics: Sculpture, Installation, and Craft?

1. While watching Through the Eyes of A Sculptor, I learned a lot of new concepts. Emanuelle Fillion is a restoration artist, which is a sculptor who works on specific areas of a piece of art like hands, arms, or feet, rarely the whole body. He worked in a carving shop underground tunnel where the temperature is always 12 degrees Celsius. Every stone in the underground tunnel has a different smell. For example, limestone ( a sedimentary rock at oceans bottom) has it's own unique smell. I also learned that stone carvers have specific instructions to carve life back into structures. Eva Steiner, from the video, began sculpting in her mid-life and sculpts nude women for a living. Marble sculpting is popular in Italy. Many sculptors take on the position that they want the sculpture to be, to help make it as accurate as possible.

In the Glass and Ceramics video, I learned that these are some of the oldest used man-made materials. Using a rod called a marver, helps shape the newly formed glass. It hardens as it cools and it is molded until it is the desired shape. Another technique to make glass artwork consists of using a propane torch to bend and shape glass without breaking it. Glass can also be molded into shapes when it is cold using hydrofluoric acid. Laminated glass is often used in school windows and car windshields as a safety feature to prevent the glass from shattering if it got hit. For plates, crafters use the glassing technique to give plates their shine and aesthetic value. Glass is used as the style of choice in most architectural work. Ceramics is used in many household appliances such as stoves. It is made using crystalline and a heating agent helps the crafter mold their creation.

2. The videos compliment the text by showing real life examples of how artists who make sculptures do their work. The text explains how sculpting came to be and it's history. The video shows hows artists have to know who they are (most successfully by living in another country for awhile) to create their best artwork. The glass and ceramics video also gives good footage of how each material is made and the different processes they go through. For example, people can blow into the rods to help shape the glass being made which is a practice that has been used for many years now.

3. I thought the videos were interesting and added depth and understanding to the topics: sculptures, installation, and craft. I think both videos provide insight and prospective into the world of sculptures and glass and ceramics. It provided details about each craft, but I think it did not include aesthetics as much as it showed the actual processes to creating the artwork.

Albright Knox Art Gallery Visit--Buffalo, New York

While visiting the Albright Knox art gallery in Buffalo, NY, I noticed several pieces of art that were very beautiful and touching to me...

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner
Frauenbildnis, 1911

Franstisek Kupka
Traits, plans, profondeur,
1920-22

A.) Which artworks make an impact or impression on me? Why? *The two pieces of artwork that made an impact or impression on me was Ernst Ludwig Kirchner's portrait of a woman and Frantisek Kupka's Traits, plans, profondeur. Kirchner's painting Frauenbildnis (portrait of a woman) depicts what appears to be a middle aged woman of color in a room with a table, painting on the wall, chair, and flowers. It made an impression on me because of it's bold colors (in red, blue, green, and brown) and the way the woman looked (she had no expression). It was made in 1911, made with oil on a canvas, and the size of the portrait is 56 1/2 x 44 7/8". The other portrait that made an impact on me was Frantisek Kupka's Traits, plans, profondeur. What it depicts is pretty much left to the imagination and I found that to be very interesting. The painting is full of blues, black, grey, and white. It is impressive because it makes you wonder exactly what it could be. I think it might me some type of insect. It was made between 1920-1922, made with oil on canvas, and it's measurements are 34 5/8 X 31 3/8". 

Franz Marc The Wolves (Blakan War), 1913 

Henri Matisse Notre Dame une fin d'apres
midi, 1902

B.) Which artworks do I feel a connection with? Why? * The artworks that I felt a connection with were Henri Matisse's Notre Dame Une Fin d'apres midi made in 1902 and Franz Marc's The Wolves (Balkan War) 1913. The title is translated to means "A Glimpse of the City of Notre Dame in the Late Afternoon.". The painting shows an outlook on the city, the people walking, and the sky's view. I connected with this piece because for a minute it took me out of the museum and into the scene as if I were looking through a window. The colors were also beautiful; they consisted of pastels. It was made with oil on paper mounted on canvas and it's measurements are 37 X30 1/4 4X4. The other piece of art that I felt a connection with was Franz Marc's The Wolves (Balkan War). This particular piece of art also made with oil on canvas, was very touching to me. I liked how the wolves blended in the picture and it looked like art from the future with the boxes and lines incorporated into it. I stood there for moments just staring at the colors. It's measurements are 34 3/8 X61 3/4".

Michael Lucero Untitled, 1989

Anselm Keifer die Milchstrasse, 1985-87

C.) Which artworks would I like to know more about? Why?* The artworks I would like to know more about is Anselm Keifer's die Milchstrasse made from 1985-1987 and Michael Lucero's  Untitled made in 1989. With Keifer's artwork, I am curious as to what exactly was she going for when she made this? Why is it so large and what significance does it hold in her life? I want to know these things because I had a hard time connecting with it and if I had more information about it, it could help me better understand it. This was made with emulsion paint, oil, acrylic and shellac on canvas with applied copper, wires and lead. Its measurements are huge, it is 150 X 222 inches. Michael Lucero's Untitled, artwork was very different and interesting to me. However, I would like to know more about it because the illustrations on his art look strange to me. It appears to be insects on top of each other, but I am not sure. I want to know what exactly they are and why he put them in the middle of the desert. His work was made on gouache and graphite on re-used manilla envelope and it's measurements are 13 3/4 X 11 1/4 (irreguar).